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Domestic violence a recurring theme for Oak Harbor man

A 37-year-old Oak Harbor man with a history of domestic violence could end up in prison if convicted of the latest charge against him, court documents indicate.

John Foster pleaded not guilty in Island County Superior Court May 10 to a count of felony violation of a court order, domestic violence.

Sgt. Larry Ferguson with the Oak Harbor Police responded to the report of a domestic assault April 26 at the Queen Anne Motel. A man in a neighboring room dialed 911 after hearing a woman calling for help.

A 31-year-old woman said she went to the hotel room to get divorce papers from Foster, who became physically and verbally abusive, the report states. The woman claimed Foster prevented her from leaving, Ferguson wrote.

The officer found that a judge had issued a no-contact order against Foster, barring him from contacting his ex-wife. Foster allegedly violated the order by allowing her in the room and abusing her, the police report indicates.

If convicted of the charge, Foster could face a standard sentencing range of a year to 14 months in prison.

Court documents state that Foster had previously been convicted in three different domestic violence cases, including a first-degree assault in 2003. Also, he was convicted of third-degree assault in 2006 for kneeing an Oak Harbor police officer in the face.

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